Unusual weather has left some of Venice’s legendary canals dried out – forcing gondolas to park up on dry land. 

Cold winter weather, low tides caused by the ‘super blue blood moon’ and little rain have caused the storied waterways to drop by up to 23in in some cases.

Photographs taken this week have shown the Queen of the Adriatic looking a shadow of her normal self, with boats covered up and even languishing on the muddy bottoms of empty canals.

Unusual weather has left some of Venice's legendary canals dried out - forcing gondolas to park up on dry land

Unusual weather has left some of Venice’s legendary canals dried out – forcing gondolas to park up on dry land

Cold winter weather, low tides and high atmospheric pressure have caused the storied waterways to drop by up to 23in in some cases

Cold winter weather, low tides and high atmospheric pressure have caused the storied waterways to drop by up to 23in in some cases

Cold winter weather, low tides and high atmospheric pressure have caused the storied waterways to drop by up to 23in in some cases

Photographs taken this week have shown the Queen of the Adriatic looking a shadow of its normal self, with boats covered up and even languishing on the muddy bottoms of empty canals

Photographs taken this week have shown the Queen of the Adriatic looking a shadow of its normal self, with boats covered up and even languishing on the muddy bottoms of empty canals

Photographs taken this week have shown the Queen of the Adriatic looking a shadow of its normal self, with boats covered up and even languishing on the muddy bottoms of empty canals

It is the third year in a row the strange phenomenon has struck Venice.  

Two years ago, water levels were reported as 28in below normal levels, curtailing transport by gondola or water taxi for much of the day.

However, the city also faces flooding several times a year.

While tourism in the city is continuing to grow, the size of the population continues to dwindle.

It is the third year in a row the strange phenomenon has struck Venice. Pictured: A small stream of water passing under a bridge in Venice yesterday 

It is the third year in a row the strange phenomenon has struck Venice. Pictured: A small stream of water passing under a bridge in Venice yesterday 

It is the third year in a row the strange phenomenon has struck Venice. Pictured: A small stream of water passing under a bridge in Venice yesterday 

Two years ago, water levels were reported as 28in below normal levels, curtailing transport by gondola or water taxi for much of the day

Two years ago, water levels were reported as 28in below normal levels, curtailing transport by gondola or water taxi for much of the day

Pictured: The dried-out canals yesterday

Pictured: The dried-out canals yesterday

Two years ago, water levels were reported as 28in below normal levels, curtailing transport by gondola or water taxi for much of the day. Pictured: The dried-out canals yesterday 

However, the city also regularly faces flooding several times a year. Pictured: A meagre puddle where a mighty canal once flowed 

However, the city also regularly faces flooding several times a year. Pictured: A meagre puddle where a mighty canal once flowed 

However, the city also regularly faces flooding several times a year. Pictured: A meagre puddle where a mighty canal once flowed 

While tourism in the city is continuing to grow, the size of the population continues to dwindle

While tourism in the city is continuing to grow, the size of the population continues to dwindle

While tourism in the city is continuing to grow, the size of the population continues to dwindle

Since 1951, Venice's population has steadily shrunk from 175,000 to some 55,000. Pictured: The muddy bottom of a dried-out canal

Since 1951, Venice's population has steadily shrunk from 175,000 to some 55,000. Pictured: The muddy bottom of a dried-out canal

Since 1951, Venice’s population has steadily shrunk from 175,000 to some 55,000. Pictured: The muddy bottom of a dried-out canal

Basements and ground floors in much of Venice are frequently flooded when the 'acqua alta' (high water) phenomenon occurs, forcing residents and visitors alike to don high rubber boots and use raised walkways

Basements and ground floors in much of Venice are frequently flooded when the 'acqua alta' (high water) phenomenon occurs, forcing residents and visitors alike to don high rubber boots and use raised walkways

Basements and ground floors in much of Venice are frequently flooded when the ‘acqua alta’ (high water) phenomenon occurs, forcing residents and visitors alike to don high rubber boots and use raised walkways

Several factors are blamed for the shrinking of Venice's population, including high prices caused by the tourist boom, the logistics of supplying a carless city and the erosion of canal-side apartment buildings by lapping waters

Several factors are blamed for the shrinking of Venice's population, including high prices caused by the tourist boom, the logistics of supplying a carless city and the erosion of canal-side apartment buildings by lapping waters

Several factors are blamed for the shrinking of Venice’s population, including high prices caused by the tourist boom, the logistics of supplying a carless city and the erosion of canal-side apartment buildings by lapping waters

Since 1951, Venice’s population has steadily shrunk from 175,000 to some 55,000.

Several factors are blamed, including high prices caused by the tourist boom, the logistics of supplying a carless city and the erosion of canal-side apartment buildings by lapping waters.

Basements and ground floors in much of Venice are frequently flooded when the ‘acqua alta’ (high water) phenomenon occurs, forcing residents and visitors alike to don high rubber boots and use raised walkways.       





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